TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Tallahassee Community College stands by its mission to educate veterans, and this time they are making sure vets stay in the classroom.
A new federal grant funds a program to train former troops to become teachers. It is just one of many special training opportunities TCC offers veterans.
TCC will soon have another program to attract more veterans to higher education, continuing its commitment to educate veterans.
"It's really difficult getting out of the military and knowing what's going on and TCC has done a phenomenal job of trying to foster a personal relationship," said Austin Nistle, a TCC student and veteran.
Goals of the Troops to Teachers program include providing a career path for those leaving active duty and putting more male and minority teachers in the classroom.
TCC Provost Feleccia Moore-Davis said another goal is "transitioning them into areas of teaching where we know that there are shortages in the country as well as FLorida. Specifically STEM- or Science, technology, engineering, and math."
TCC is the only college in Florida awarded the grant totaling at almost $350,000 in the first year and $1.7 million over a 5-year-period.
Many people are already hearing about the program.
"I was on the phone with my buddy the other day," Nistle said. "He's flying back down here. He's still in the Marine Corps and telling me about how he wants to be a teacher. I said 'What are the chances of that? Have you heard of the Troops to Teachers program?'"
Vets on campus say that TCC is doing more than just offering specialized courses.
"Every step of the way, there's someone to help you get acquainted to civilian life, because it's a whole different culture being in the military," Nistle said.
The college will be visiting military installations throughout the state with the goal of signing up 40 Troops to Teachers per month.
